A nitrile functionalized graphene filled ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber composites with improved heat resistance

Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM) is susceptible to temperature, and heat can greatly increase the molecular mobility which degrades the mechanical properties of a rubber part. To overcome this problem, EPDM composites containing various nitrile functionalized graphene (GN-CN) were prepared and investigated for the effects of surface modification on the mechanical properties under low and high temperature. Results indicated that, the tensile strength of 3phr GN-CN filled EPDM composite reaches 11.8 and 6.0 MPa at 25 °C and 70 °C, respectively, which is 63.9% and 100% higher than that of unfilled one. Meanwhile, the strength loss of the EPDM/GN-CN composite under 70 °C is 49.1%, which is 9.2% lower than that of EPDM. It was demonstrated that, the reaction of the nitrile groups is benefit to the tensile strength and heat resistance improving of EPDM.